Police in Jakarta used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators attempting to break into Indonesia’s parliament building on Monday. The protesters called for salary cuts for legislators, accusing them of excessive pay and perks for legislators.
Some of the demonostrators, many wearing dark clothing, threw rocks and set off fireworks, while at least one motorcycle was set on fire. Although authorities did not report on casualties, arrests, or the extent of damage, the unrest highlighted growing dissatisfaction with the country’s political elite.
According to reports, one of the groups that organised the protest, was Gejayan Memanggil - formed by students in the Yogyakarta province - who were angry over the salaries of parliamentarians, which local media reported to be upwards of 100 million rupiah ($6,150) per month, including a substantial housing allowance. This sum is far higher than the national average income of 3.1 million rupiah ($190.68) prompting accusations of inequality.
Demonstrators also voiced their opposition to what they described as “corrupt elites” within the government, particularly criticising policies that they believe benefit powerful conglomerates and the military.
The protests coincided with increasing concerns over the growing role of the military in civilian life under President Prabowo Subianto, a former general.
Some of the protesters were seen on TV carrying a flag from the Japanese manga series "One Piece", which has become a symbol of protest against government policies in the country.
Jakarta police deployed 1,250 officers to maintain security around the parliament building. While the parliament’s speaker, Puan Maharani, said she would accommodate public aspirations, there was no immediate response from other government officials, including a spokesperson for Prabowo.
The unrest in Jakarta is the latest in a series of protests in Indonesia, where public frustration with political elites has been growing.
The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. fi...
A man previously convicted of spying on Türkiye has been arrested by Turkish and Syrian authorities after more than a decade on the run, Turki...
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says around 25 kilometres of the TAPI gas pipeline have been laid in Herat province, as work co...
Three Armenian citizens have been charged following an alleged attempt to attack Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at St Anna Cathedral in Yerevan on ...
HHungary’s foreign minister has been drawn into controversy after an audio recording, released by ...
The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. firms in the region, raising fears of a broader escalation across the Middle East.
Three Armenian citizens have been charged following an alleged attempt to attack Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at St Anna Cathedral in Yerevan on 29 March. Analysts say the incident reflects rising tensions between the government and the Church ahead of upcoming elections.
HHungary’s foreign minister has been drawn into controversy after an audio recording, released by an investigative outlet, appeared to show him discussing EU sanctions with his Russian counterpart days before an election that could shape Budapest’s relationship with Moscow, Reuters reports.
China and Kenya have agreed to revive a long-delayed railway project, signalling renewed momentum in infrastructure cooperation and a shift towards more sustainable financing models across Africa.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the U.S is in talks with the new Iranian regime. He said this in a post on his Truth Social account but warned that the U.S. will "Obliterate" Iran's electric and oil facilities if no deal is reached, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz closure.
NASA is aiming to launch its Artemis 2 mission on Wednesday (1 April), sending astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, officials confirmed. According to the Space Administration, the launch window is due to open at 23:24 GMT, with additional opportunities to 6 April if delays occur.
The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. firms in the region, raising fears of a broader escalation across the Middle East.
The war in Iran has rapidly upended regional security, triggering spillover across the Middle East and raising fears of wider economic disruption that could threaten globalisation.
The Israeli military said on Monday that Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, and an attack had also been launched from Yemen for the second time since the U.S.-Israeli war began on Tehran. It said two drones from Yemen were intercepted early 30 March but gave no further details.
A Russia-flagged tanker carrying about 700,000 barrels of crude has arrived in Cuba’s Matanzas Bay, marking the first major oil delivery to the island since the Trump administration cut off its fuel supplies.
China and Kenya have agreed to revive a long-delayed railway project, signalling renewed momentum in infrastructure cooperation and a shift towards more sustainable financing models across Africa.
HHungary’s foreign minister has been drawn into controversy after an audio recording, released by an investigative outlet, appeared to show him discussing EU sanctions with his Russian counterpart days before an election that could shape Budapest’s relationship with Moscow, Reuters reports.
The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas and several EU foreign ministers arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the Bucha massacre and to voice their support for Ukraine, amid tensions within the bloc over blocked EU aid.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 31 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment